Knut-Magne Knudsen Posted August 19, 2018 Report Share Posted August 19, 2018 Hi. I've just bought the Tadpole drawings and are going to build my first kayak. Found this to be a great start, and a good size for my 10 year old niece :). When I examine the drawings i notice that the frame in front of the coaming is plywood just as the others, but it seems kind of tight at first glance. Through my research I found that you have the "comfort frame" on several of the designs to allow for more legroom. Is this upgrade also available on the Tadpole? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudzu Posted August 20, 2018 Report Share Posted August 20, 2018 No but it is something that I have been thinking about doing of just raising the deck a little bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knut-Magne Knudsen Posted August 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2018 Is there any special considerations to do if I am to modify the design? I'm wondering if just cutting the top part and replacing with a laminated beam weakens the structure or makes the front deck too high? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
even-keeled Posted August 20, 2018 Report Share Posted August 20, 2018 Since this coaming isn't as long as ones where the beam has been implemented, there's less room to add a lower frame. Depending on the child, their hamstrings may rest on an extra frame. I would make the plywood frame in question not droop so much between the coaming and the gunwales. That will give a little room without a major redesign. Maybe make a cardboard mock-up of that one frame to get a better idea of fit. I was going to build a tadpole for my daughter but she's outgrown that design. Now it will need to be a Curlew for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
even-keeled Posted August 21, 2018 Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 Something like this should clear the skin by about 1/4" and allow more room for entry. I would have kept all sides of the frame with the original offsets. As a disclaimer, I can't recommend acting on design ideas without designer approval. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PNWSOF Posted August 21, 2018 Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 I used a laminated beam on the tadpole I built earlier this summer, to make it easier for my son to get in/out of the boat. I redrew the frame at the front of the cockpit so that the top of the frame was replaced by a laminated piece that kept the deck stringer in the same position, but gave better clearance -- especially at the sides of the opening. (I also lowered the bottom of the opening a bit since I didn't run the floors under the frame. I'd intended to use brackets there, but ended up lashing to the side of the frame in the end. I'm not sure I'd take that route again.) Brad 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knut-Magne Knudsen Posted August 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2018 That is a very nice build! Thanks for the inspiration. I see the gunwales and chines change colour between your pictures. Is that due to lighting or have you had any varnish on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PNWSOF Posted August 27, 2018 Report Share Posted August 27, 2018 You're right -- I did one coat of thinned tung oil after that first picture. That was probably overkill for a kid's boat, especially since the stringers were all cedar, but it made me feel better. Also, the plywood I used for the frames is high quality (lots of plies, no voids) but not particularly rot resistant. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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